The New York Knicks‘ prime trade target Myles Turner had been diagnosed with a stress reaction on his left foot, the Indiana Pacers announced Tuesday.
Turner has been out since Friday and will be re-evaluated in two weeks to re-assess his status. His injury was initially labeled as a sore left ankle. A second opinion yielded the stress reaction, a precursor to the more severe stress fracture injury. It appears that Turner will be out for a significant amount of time that could extend beyond the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
With only 23 days left before the trade deadline, this development may force the Pacers to hold on to Turner until the offseason.
Before the injury, Hoopshype reported that the Pacers’ asking price for Turner is two first-round picks or a first-round pick and a young player with a high upside. The injury certainly took a hit to Turner’s value for teams, like the Knicks, who desire a win-now contributor to advance their playoff hopes this season.
Turner also missed a significant amount of time last season after a partial tear in the plantar plate of his right great toe. He only played 47 games.
Turner has $36 million left in his four-year contract before he could hit free agency in 2023. The 25-year old center leads the league in blocks for the third time this season, averaging 2.8 per game with 12.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists. Turner is a defensive big man who can stretch the floor. He is a 35-percent career three-point shooter.
In December, Indy Star proposed a mock trade that would net the Pacers fan-favorite and former lottery pick Obi Toppin and a future first-round pick with Nerlens Noel as a salary filler for Turner. Turner’s latest injury should lower the Pacers’ asking price if they are determined to move the big man before the trade deadline.
The Knicks’ lingering interest in Turner gives us the impression that they view him as a long-term piece. At 25, Turner is an ascending talent, and he fits the timeline of their young core. But a big man with foot issues weighs a significant risk.
If they are all-in on Turner, now is the time to pounce on the opportunity to get him for a much lower price.
Aside from the Knicks, several teams are interested in Turner, including his hometown team, Dallas Mavericks, who are believed to be the frontrunners to land the big man. It will be interesting to watch how Turner’s market shakes out after this injury update.
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